Upgrading Historical Homes With Double Glazing

We love historical homes here at T&K. Older buildings have a certain quality about them and feel like a direct link to Britain’s past. They’re a reminder of the people who lived here generations before us and they have a cultural weight about them that you don’t get in other types of houses. 

However, this does sometimes leave their owners reluctant to make many structural changes. We’ve worked on several projects at historical homes and for every single one, the customer has been concerned about preserving the character. If you live in a historical or traditional home though, don’t worry. It’s more than possible to get your windows and doors replaced without jeopardising the aesthetic. 

Double Glazing And Historical Homes

When it comes to historical home renovations, we need to think about preservation as well as improvement. Thanks to developments in window-making technology though, this is more than possible. Modern windows are typically made with uPVC or aluminium rather than wood, but they can be customised to match the aesthetics of timber. This means you can enjoy an up-to-date set of windows that look significantly older than they actually are. 

As a result, we can create traditional windows that deliver a modern performance. They’ll provide better thermal efficiency and a more comfortable living space while preserving the integrity of the original structure. They’ll also assist with noise reduction, improve home security and potentially even increase the value of the property. And unless you’re an expert architect who specialises in windows, you might not even notice a visual difference. 

Double Glazing Or Secondary Glazing?

The only drawback is that occasionally, it might not be possible to install double glazing. This is a rare occurrence, but we have encountered heritage homes where the owners have been denied planning permission for new windows. This is usually in listed buildings and while it is understandable, it can be frustrating to plan for new windows only to be denied the right to get them.

However, there is an alternative; secondary glazing. This is a process whereby a second window is attached to the inside of the existing window. Unlike double glazed windows, these don’t require planning permission and can be installed with no trouble at all. Secondary glazing will improve the thermal performance of single pane windows and while they’re not as efficient as double glazed windows, they’re not far behind and make for a decent substitute. Because they can be removed at any time, they’re also exempt from the regulations so there’s no need to submit any paperwork to get them fitted. 

This only applies to a comparatively small number of houses and in the grand scheme of things, most historical homes will be able to get double glazing installed. This is where T&K come in. Whether you’re looking for metal or uPVC windows, you can contact us to find out more. If you have a project in mind already, you can even get an online quote. Get in touch and let’s give your home a makeover.